Surabaya DPRD Supports Student 2-Hour Smartphone-Free Initiative
Deputy Chair of the Surabaya City Council, Laila Mufidah, has given full support to the gadget-free movement launched by the Surabaya City Government. The primary target of this policy is students and school-age children.
Every day for two hours, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM WIB, students are urged not to activate their smartphones or gadgets. The two-hour gadget-free movement was directly launched by Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi.
This digital-era protection initiative is contained in the Mayor of Surabaya’s Circular Letter No. 400.2.4/7809/436.7.8/2026 on Child Protection in the Digital Space.
“We fully support the Mayor’s policy in this digitalisation era. Living with smartphones is inevitable. This gadget-free movement is the government’s effort to prevent children from being further affected by gadgets,” Laila said in a written statement on Tuesday (21/5/2026).
According to Laila, restricting gadget use within the family is not only to protect children from the negative influences of digital activities. The programme also aims to restore social interactions within the family.
She assessed that family institutions are diminishing in the modern smartphone era. The lack of social interaction among family members makes relationships between family members, including with parents, increasingly distant.
In her view, children today are considered more engrossed in surfing on smartphones than communicating with family members.
“Everyone cannot avoid it in the current digitalisation era. But it must not go overboard. Especially addiction,” Laila stated.
Laila believes the existence of the circular shows the seriousness of the Surabaya City Government in protecting children from gadget influences. However, this policy has the potential to remain merely an exhortation if not followed by concrete programmes.
She also mentioned that the policy would be more effective if accompanied by the involvement of all stakeholders. From the Education Office, Child Protection Office, schools, community figures, to village apparatus.
“The key word is actually family strengthening. How parents and children mutually understand their respective roles. Children’s duties are to study and be devoted, obedient to parents,” she said.
She added that the joint movement cannot rely solely on the family, but must start from the family environment as the main foundation.
In her opinion, if one family applies good habits and is followed by other families, the impact will be wider. Therefore, policy interventions and programmes from the Surabaya City Government are needed to revive family resilience.
Laila also urged that the two-hour gadget-free movement be implemented optimally in the field. She emphasised the importance of the role of all regional device organisations (OPD) as the leading sector.
According to her, if responsibilities are divided sectorally, there is a potential for passing the buck among OPDs. She stressed that protecting the young generation from the adverse impacts of digitalisation is a collective task, not just one specific agency.
“All society, agencies, community figures, to peer role models are very much needed for that movement. Young Surabaya students who dominate social media lines must be involved in the programme,” Laila said.
In Line with Central Programme
Laila stated that the two-hour no-gadget policy in Surabaya is also in line with the central government’s programme. The Surabaya City Government refers to Government Regulation (PP) Tunas on the Governance of Child Protection in the Digital Space and Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation (Permen Komdigi) No. 9 of 2026.
“These regulations emphasise child protection strengthening, age-based access restrictions, and the responsibility of electronic system operators in creating a safe digital ecosystem,” she explained.
According to Laila, the two-hour gadget-free policy needs to be realised tactically with monitoring from the family as the main element.
She also emphasised the importance of synergy between families, schools through the Education Office, to the village and RT/RW environment to create a culture of gadget-free discipline.
“For those who do not comply, there must be educational sanctions. Who gives the sanctions, schools through the Education Office. Every day there must be accountable reports that gadgets are truly deactivated,” Laila concluded.